Future physics teacher receives scholarship award

Posted April 03, 2013

The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) recently awarded ACU's Kristin Holz the Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers. The scholarship is given to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled in courses that prepare them to teach physics.

A junior from Arlington Heights, Ill., Holz will be the first ACU student to graduate with a degree in physics and math teaching. Holz says she hopes to share her passion for physics and math through teaching, just as her instructors instilled a love of learning in her.

“I want to teach physics and math at a high school or community college since those settings are where many students get their first real introduction to physics and calculus," says Holz. "I want to make these subjects enjoyable while positively impacting the lives of students who are starting to enter a phase of independence."

This prestigious award comes with a $2,000 stipend and is given to students whose coursework, recommendations and extracurricular activities indicate that they will be outstanding members of the physics education community.

“Kristin works actively in science education research and presents her findings at regional and national conferences," says Dr. Jess Dowdy, associate professor and assistant chair for ACU's engineering and physics department. "Academically, she performs flawlessly in upper-level mathematics and physics courses.”